Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
  • H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
  • H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
  • H01H33/666—Operating arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
  • H01H33/60—Switches wherein the means for extinguishing or preventing the arc do not include separate means for obtaining or increasing flow of arc-extinguishing fluid
  • H01H33/66—Vacuum switches
  • H01H33/666—Operating arrangements
  • H01H33/6661—Combination with other type of switch, e.g. for load break switches
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H3/00—Mechanisms for operating contacts
  • H01H3/32—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts
  • H01H3/46—Driving mechanisms, i.e. for transmitting driving force to the contacts using rod or lever linkage, e.g. toggle
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H31/00—Air-break switches for high tension without arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
  • H01H31/003—Earthing switches
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H33/00—High-tension or heavy-current switches with arc-extinguishing or arc-preventing means
  • H01H33/02—Details
  • H01H33/022—Details particular to three-phase circuit breakers
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
  • H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
  • H01H5/06—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by compression or extension of coil springs
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
  • H01H—ELECTRIC SWITCHES; RELAYS; SELECTORS; EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE DEVICES
  • H01H5/00—Snap-action arrangements, i.e. in which during a single opening operation or a single closing operation energy is first stored and then released to produce or assist the contact movement
  • H01H5/04—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members
  • H01H5/06—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by compression or extension of coil springs
  • H01H5/10—Energy stored by deformation of elastic members by compression or extension of coil springs one end of spring being fixedly connected to the stationary or movable part of the switch and the other end reacting with a movable or stationary rigid member respectively through pins, cams, toothed or other shaped surfaces

Definitions

• the invention relates to a drive mechanism which, with the aid of energy stored in energy storage means and with the aid of conversion means, is used to incorporate a switch composed of one or more vacuum circuit breakers in an electrical circuit or to open this switch therein.
• the circuit in question may, for example, comprise a cable, the switch and a rail system, in which case the switch connects the cable to the rail system or disconnects it.
• the present invention relates to a drive mechanism for synchronously operating a plurality of switching elements, in particular vacuum circuit breakers, comprising energy storage means, conversion means for converting energy stored in the energy storage means into a switching-off operation of the switching elements and for switching on the switching elements, during which latter process energy is stored in the energy storage means, the conversion means comprising first transfer means which are connected to the energy storage means and can be moved substantially in a first direction between a first position and a second position, and second transfer means which are symmetrically connected to a moveable pole of each of the plurality of switching elements, it being possible for the second transfer means to be moved substantially in a second direction.
• a drive mechanism of this type in which account is taken of the forces which occur, the simultaneous switching and a compact design, is known, for example, from WO 01/24210.
• these objectives are achieved by the positioning of the various components with respect to one another and the way in which the driving of the switch via various systems of rods and rotation points is implemented.
• switches of this type are composed of three poles, which can each incorporate or interrupt one phase of the installation in the circuit.
• drive mechanisms of this type have to be able to have sufficient energy to be able to apply the required switching on and off speeds for the main contacts, which means that considerable forces occur in the mechanism. In order also to ensure a sufficient contact force, considerable forces are required and have to be absorbed by the mechanism.
• the present invention provides a drive mechanism of the type defined in the preamble in which the conversion means further comprise at least one connecting rod which on one side is rotatably secured to the first transfer means and on a second side is rotatably secured to the second transfer means. It is preferable for the first direction to be perpendicular to the second direction. This makes it possible to provide a compact drive mechanism with a minimum number of components which also ensures that all the switching elements are reliably switched on and off synchronously.
• the energy storage means comprise a closing spring, and energy is transferred to the first transfer means by means of a cam roller, which is connected to the first transfer means, interacting with an eccentric which is secured to a drive shaft and at its periphery is shaped so as to move the cam roller in the first direction.
• the closing spring is fixedly secured at one end and at another end being eccentrically secured to the eccentric.
• the first transfer means comprise: a first rod and a second rod of the same length, which are each connected, at a first end, to a stationary pivot point and, at the other end, are pivotably connected to one another via a third rod.
• the first rod, second rod and third rod form a parallelogram which is open on one side and can move to and fro substantially in the first direction about the fixed pivot points. This results in a rigid structure, enabling the forces required for operation to be transferred efficiently, directly and quickly. A correct choice of dimensions allows the correct forces and displacements to be realized for any type of switching element which may be used.
• the second transfer means comprise a switching bridge which connects drive rods which are connected to the moveable pole of the switching elements to one another and which is connected via a sixth rod to a fixed pivot point in such a manner that the switching bridge can only execute a movement which is directed substantially in the second direction.
• the at least one connecting rod comprises a fourth rod and a fifth rod of equal length.
• the points where the fourth and fifth rods are secured to the sixth rod are substantially located between the rotatable securing points of the first rod, third rod and fourth rod and the second rod, third rod and fifth rod, respectively, and the fixed pivot points. This increases the compactness of the drive mechanism.
• the switching bridge forms an integrated module with the sixth rod, contact compression springs and compensation springs. This feature simplifies assembly of the drive mechanism.
• the first and second positions are defined by at least one first stop and at least one second stop, respectively, which is struck by the connection between the first and third rods and or the connection between the second and third rods.
• the second stop is positioned in such a manner that the fourth and fifth rods are able to form an angle of at most 178° with respect to the first direction. Since in this embodiment the mechanism only just does not pass through the top dead center of the combination of eccentric and closing spring, it is possible to exert a high contact force with a low holding force, less energy is required when switching off and energy stored in the closing spring is used more efficiently.
• the cam with the cam roller blocks the first transfer means from returning to the first position.
• the drive shaft during movement cycles of the drive mechamsm, rotates out of the first position via the second position and back to the first position through 360°, a quantity of energy being supplied, during an energy storage phase over at least the first 180°, via the drive shaft to the energy storage means which, during energy release phases over the following at least 165° and the last 15° resp., can be released again to the drive shaft and is sufficient to move the drive mechanism into the second and first position, resp..
• a trip mechanism is used to release the drive mechanism, in which case the trip mechanism comprises a catch body, for example a catch pawl, which is secured to the shaft and interacts with a hook belonging to a first lever, the first lever being moveable in order to release the catch body and having an at-rest position in which the hook, interacting with the catch body, prevents further rotation of the shaft.
• the trip mechanism comprises a catch body, for example a catch pawl, which is secured to the shaft and interacts with a hook belonging to a first lever, the first lever being moveable in order to release the catch body and having an at-rest position in which the hook, interacting with the catch body, prevents further rotation of the shaft.
• the first lever may be connected to a restoring spring in such a manner that the first lever is forced back towards the at-rest position.
• the trip or locking mechanism simplifies the operation of the drive mechanism by means of a fixedly defined sequence of states and transitions between them. This also prevents the possibility of the switching elements being able to shoot directly from the on position to the off position.
• the trip mechanism comprises a further eccentric secured to the shaft.
• the first lever is pivotably connected to a fixed rotation point and comprises an end which, interacting with the periphery of the further eccentric, rotates the first lever back towards the at-rest position.
• the trip mechanism also comprises an active magnet system having a coil and an armature, the active magnet system being designed to move the first lever out of the at-rest position when the coil is energized.
• the trip mechanism also comprises a passive magnet system having a coil, an armature, a permanent magnet and a holding plate, the passive magnet system being designed to move the first lever out of the at-rest position using a small amount of energy when the coil is energized.
• the trip mechanism also comprises a second lever, which is pivotably connected to a fixed rotation point and can rotate in the opposite direction to the first lever and is provided with a pusher body in order to rotate the first lever. This allows simple actuation of the trip mechanism.
• the present drive mechanism also comprises an operating mechanism for operating a plurality of disconnectors between a first position, in which each of the plurality of disconnectors forms an electrical connection between a pole of the associated switching element and an associated rail contact, and a second position, in which each of the plurality of disconnectors does not form an electrical connection to the associated rail contact.
• the operating mechanism also comprises a disconnector drive shaft which can rotate about its axis and has attached to it a radially projecting strip, to which a toggle strip is rotatably secured, which toggle strip can move in a plane perpendicular to the disconnector drive shaft, the other side of which is rotatably connected to a disconnector bar which can move substantially in a linear direction and is connected, via respective disconnector drive rods, to each of the plurality of disconnectors, it being possible for the disconnector drive shaft to rotate between a rail position, which corresponds to a first position, and a breaking position, which corresponds to the second position.
• the construction using the toggle strip makes it possible to exert a high compressive or tensile force with a relatively low couple at the end of a rotation movement of the disconnector drive shaft.
• the disconnector drive shaft can be rotated further into a third position, in which each of the plurality of disconnectors forms an electrical connection between the pole of the switching element and a grounding contact, in a grounding position which corresponds to the third position.
• each of the plurality of disconnectors forms an electrical connection between the pole of the switching element and a grounding contact, in a grounding position which corresponds to the third position.
• the connection between the disconnectors and the poles of the switching elements have both an electrical conduction function and a mechanical function. For example, while maintaining a good electrically conductive connection, a rectilinear up-and-down movement of the switching elements and a rotational movement of the disconnectors about the connection should also be possible.
• connection between the radially projecting strip and the toggle strip is connected to a tension spring which pulls the connection towards a stop.
• the disconnectors move in a plane of movement which is perpendicular to the first direction, so that a compact and operationally reliable structure becomes possible.
• the drive mechanism also comprises a front module, having a stop button for operating the trip mechanism, a first opening for driving the shaft, a second opening for driving the disconnector drive shaft, and a selector member with three positions, the selector member being designed to open the first opening in a first position, to block the first and second openings in a second position and to open the second opening in a third position.
• the drive mechamsm is accommodated in a conditioned room. This means that less contamination which causes faults through corrosion or other mechanisms can occur.
• the present invention relates to a method for operating a switching installation which is equipped with a drive mechanism according to the present invention, in which the switching installation has a first operating state, in which each of the plurality of switching elements is switched off and each of the plurality of disconnectors is in the first position, and a second operating state, in which each of the plurality of switching elements is switched off and each of the plurality of disconnectors is in the third position, and a third operating state, in which each of the plurality of switching elements is switched on and each of the plurality of disconnectors is in the first position.
• the selector member In each of the operating states the selector member is in position two, and the switching installation changes from the first operating state to the second operating state by the selector member being placed in the position three, the disconnector drive shaft being rotated into the grounding state, and the selector member being reset to position two; the switching installation is changed from the second operating state to the first operating state as a result of the selector member being placed in position three, the disconnector drive shaft being rotated into the rail position, and the selector member being reset to position two; the switching installation is changed from the first operating state to the third operating state as a result of the selector member being placed in position one, the shaft being rotated into the switched-on position of the plurality of switching elements, and the selector member being reset to position two; and the switching installation is moved from the third operating state to the first operating state by actuation of the off button.
• the drive mechanism may furthermore be in a number of maintenance states, in which the selector member is in the first position.
• the selector member is in the first position.
• Figs, la and lb show a simplified illustration of a drive mechamsm according to one embodiment of the present invention in various operating states;
• Figs. 2a-c show a simplified illustration of a trip mechamsm according to one embodiment of the present invention;
• Figs. 3a-d show a simplified illustration of an alternative to the trip mechamsm shown in Figs. 2a-c;
• Figs. 4a and 4b respectively show a side view and a front view of the drive mechanism for the disconnectors according to one embodiment of the present invention
• Figs. 5a and 5b show an enlarged view of sections Va and Vb from Figs. 4a and 4b;
• Fig. 6 shows a plan view of a drive mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention
• Figs. 7a and 7b show, in two parts, a flow diagram for the operation of a switching installation according to the present invention.
• Fig. la shows a simplified diagrammatic illustration of an embodiment of the drive mechamsm 1 according to the present invention.
• the bottom of the diagram shows three switching elements in the form of a vacuum circuit breaker 35 with respective fixed contacts 21, 21', 21" and moveable contacts 20, 20', 20", which are surrounded by respective vacuum tubes 19, 19' and 19".
• the moveable contacts 20 are fixedly connected to respective isolator rods 18, 18', 18".
• the isolator rods 18 are connected to the drive mechanism 1 via a connection 17, 17', 17", for example a clamping connection.
• the vacuum circuit breakers 35 are in the open position (OFF).
• the drive mechamsm 1 comprises energy storage means in the form of a closing spring 6, which at one side is secured to a fixed pivot 7 and at the other side is secured to an eccentrically located securing point 9 of an eccentric 8 which is rotatably secured at a fixed rotation point 10.
• the eccentric 8 can be driven via the shaft 31 and can be moved using a motor or by hand. Lh the position shown, the closing spring 6 is in an at-rest position, in which the closing spring 6 is at its least stretched. At its periphery, the eccentric 8 is provided with a cam 11 which interacts with a cam roller 12.
• the cam roller 12 is connected to first transfer means which comprise a third rod 2 which can be moved substantially in a first direction, which is horizontal in the drawing.
• the third rod 2 being rotatably connected at its ends 23, 23' to an end of a first rod 3 and second rod 3 ', respectively, the first rod 3 and second rod 3' being of the same length and at their other ends being secured to a fixed pivot 5 and 5', respectively.
• the first transfer means 12, 2, 3, 3' can move in a horizontal direction between a first position (shown in Fig. la) and a second position (shown in Fig. lb), which are defined by a first stop 24 and second stop 25, respectively, which the connection 23 between first rod 3 and third rod 2 strikes. Stops 24' and 25' of this type are also present for the connection 23' between second rod 3' and third rod 2.
• the drive mechanism 1 also comprises second transfer means, which can move substantially in a second direction, which in the drawing is vertical.
• the second transfer means comprise a sixth rod 13, to which a switching bridge 14 is connected, together, as it were, forming a link which can move up and down.
• the restriction in the movement is brought about by the fact that a further rod 29 is connected on one side to the sixth rod 13 and on the other side to a fixed pivot 30 at substantially the same height.
• the movement is limited by the fact that two connecting rods 4, 4' are present, rigidly connecting the first and second transfer means to one another.
• a fourth rod 4 is connected to one end of the sixth rod 13, while on the other side it is connected to the connecting point 23 between the first and third rods 3 and 2, respectively.
• a fifth rod 4' is connected to the other end of the sixth rod 13, and on the other side is connected to the connecting point 23 ' between second and third rods 3 ' and 2, respectively.
• the switching bridge 14 is provided with respective prestressed contact compression springs 15, 15', 15" which interact with respective hammer blocks or anvils 16, 16', 16" which are connected to the clamping connections 17, 17', 17 " in order ultimately to move the moveable contacts 20, 20', 20".
• the drive mechamsm 1 comprises two compensation springs 28, 28', which are attached to the switching bridge 14.
• the switching bridge 14 can form an integrated module together with the sixth rod 13, contact compression springs 15, 15', 15" and compensation springs 28, 28'.
• a catch spring 26 is rotatably secured to the third rod 2 and in the position shown in Fig. la hooks behind a stop 27 and prevents the third rod 2 from moving to the right.
• the drawing indicates that the structure of the switching installation can be considered modular:
• the switching elements of the vacuum circuit breakers 35 are connected via clamping connections 17 to the integrated switching bridge 36 (bridge 14, compensation springs 28, 28', contact compression springs 15, 15', 15", hammer blocks or anvils 16, 16', 16"), which in turn is connected to the drive mechamsm 37. Ln this way, it is also easy for this drive mechanism 37 to be accommodated in a conditioned room which is well sealed off from the environment, so that the mechanism will be less susceptible to faults caused by environmental influences, such as contamination or conosion.
• Fig. la shows the off position, representing a first stable state of the drive mechamsm.
• the closing spring 6 is located at its bottom dead center.
• the first phase of operation is the energy storage phase, in which the closing spring 6 is tensioned through the shaft 31 in Fig. 1 a being rotated through 180°, so that the closing spring 6 moves into its top dead center, in which the maximum energy storage is reached.
• the shaft 31 is driven by hand or by means of a motor, with the shaft 31 and the manual or motor drive being coupled only in the driving direction.
• This energy storage phase applies during a rotation of the shaft 31 of at least 180° and at most, for example, 190°.
• the maximum rotation in the energy storage phase is, inter alia, dependent on the question of whether or not the maximum amount of energy stored in the closing spring 6 has to be made available. Ln addition, the transition to the next phase is more clearly defined if this maximum rotation is further beyond the dead center of 180°.
• the following phase in operation is the energy release phase, in which the energy which has been stored in the closing spring 6 is released as soon as the closing spring 6 passes beyond its top dead center, i.e. at least after 180° rotation of the shaft 31.
• the shaft 31 is driven by the energy which is released, and will continue to rotate together with the eccentric 8 fixed to it and the cam 11.
• the cam 11 On account of the shape of the cam 11 of the eccentric 8 and the position of the catch spring 26, the cam 11 will firstly push the catch spring 26 out of its stop 27, so that the third rod 2 can move freely to the right.
• the sixth rod 13 moves slightly downwards (approximately 3 mm), with the result that the respective hammer blocks or anvils 16 move slightly upwards and place the contact compression springs 15 under an even greater stress. In the second position, therefore, a sufficiently great contact pressure is produced between the contacts 20, 21. Also, the compensation springs 28, 28' are compressed further by the downward movement of the sixth rod 13.
• the on position of the drive mechamsm 1 which has now been reached is shown in Fig. lb and therefore represents the second stable position of the drive mechanism.
• Correct selection of the dimensions and positions of the various components makes it possible to ensure that the first rod 3 and the vertical part of the switching bridge 14 (or second rod 3' and the vertical part of the switching bridge 14) form a very small angle with one another. This makes it possible, in particular in the final phase of the movement from the off position to the on position, to exert a high downwardly directed force and to lock it using a very small force in relative terms.
• the locking in this second stable position of the drive mechanism is achieved by blocking the cam roller 12 with the cam 11 from moving back into the first position, i.e. away from the stop 25 or 25'.
• the cam 11 is in turn blocked such that it cannot rotate further by a trip mechanism, for example as described in more detail below.
• the closing spring 6 is approximately 15° before its bottom dead center in this locked on position.
• the low force on the locking before this bottom dead center position and the way in which the locking is implemented in accordance with the invention make it possible to use the remaining energy stored in the closing spring 6 to move the eccentric and the cam 11 connected to it further under the cam roller 12, thereby eliminating the blocking action.
• the isolation rods 18 only start to move if the hammer blocks or anvils 16 are also carried along. This therefore results in a sudden synchronous movement with a high energy, with the result that the contacts 20, 21 are pulled apart from one another, even if they are stuck to one another, for example by a short-circuit current occurring.
• the drive mechamsm 1 continues to move until the first position of the third rod 2 is reached once again (against stops 24, 24').
• the catch spring 26 again latches behind its stop 27, thus preventing unnecessary repeated movement of the contacts of the vacuum circuit breakers 35 towards and away from one another (bouncing).
• compensation springs 28, 28' the drive mechanism will remain in this stable first position.
• the drive shaft 31 rotates during the movement cycles of the drive mechanism, out of the first stable position via the second stable position back into the first stable position, through 360°, the drive shaft 31, during an energy storage phase, being driven through at least the first 180° in order to supply energy to the energy storage means, after which this energy, during an energy release phase covering the subsequent 165° and the final 15° respectively, is released in order to move the drive mechanism, via the drive shaft 31, into the second or first stable position.
• Figs. 2a-c show a simplified illustration of an example of a trip mechanism for releasing the movement of the drive mechanism 1 into the off position.
• Fig. 2a shows that a further eccentric 51 is secured to the same shaft 31 of the eccentric 8 of the drive mechanism 1.
• the further eccentric is provided with a catch pawl 57 at a suitable position on its periphery.
• the catch pawl may form an integral part of the further eccentric 51, or alternatively catch pawl 57 may also be secured directly to the shaft 31.
• the catch pawl 57 is prevented from rotating to the right by a hook 58 which is part of a first lever 50.
• the first lever 50 rotates about a first pivot 52 and is pulled downward by restoring or reset spring 55, which on one side is secured to a fixed pivot 56 and on the other side is secured to the first lever 50.
• the restoring spring 55 can be omitted, since the force of gravity will also cause the first lever 50 to drop back into the starting position.
• a second lever 54 rotates about a second pivot 53 and supports the first lever 50 at point 59.
• the second lever 54 is rotated to the right, for example by means of a push button and a suitable system of levers.
• the first lever 50 is also carried along and rotated to the left, with the result that the hook 58 slides off the catch pawl 57 and the eccentric 8 starts to rotate to the right (as a result of the tensile force of the closing spring 6, cf. Fig. la) towards the off position (Fig. 2b).
• the push button is released, the first and second levers 50, 54 return to their original positions (Fig. 2c).
• Figs. 3a-d show simplified sketches of an alternative to the trip mechamsm with the possibility of electrical operation. Compared to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, in this case the second lever 54 and associated pivot 53 have been omitted. Otherwise, components having the same function in Figs. 3a-d are denoted by the same reference numerals as in Figs. 2a-c. It will be clear to the person skilled in the art that the two embodiments may also be combined, so that electrical and mechanical actuation of the trip mechanism is possible.
• the trip mechanism comprises a holding magnet system, comprising a holding plate 60 which in the at-rest position is attracted by a magnetic yoke 63.
• the holding action of the magnetic yoke can be eliminated by means of a coil 62.
• a shaft 64 which bears against the first lever 50, is secured to the holding plate 60.
• a trip spring 61 which is located between a housing which surrounds the holding plate 60 and yoke 63, and the shaft 64, there will be a force seeking to push the holding plate 60 and shaft 64 upwards, which occurs if a current eliminating the holding action is passed through the coil 62 (Fig. 3b).
• the first lever 50 is rotated to the left and the hook 58 will release the catch pawl 57.
• An electrical energy pulse of, for example, 50 mJ is sufficient to eliminate a holding force which is three times as great as the usual trip spring force, with the result that the first lever 50 will rotate.
• the action of the drive mechanism 1 rotates the further eccentric 51 approximately 15° further (Fig. 3c). If the drive mechamsm 1 is then tensioned by the shaft 31 being rotated further to the right, an upwardly facing section of the first lever 50 will be pushed downward on account of the shape of the further eccentric 51.
• the holding force of the holding magnet system is preferably sufficiently great to be able to withstand considerable shock movements (for example >2500 m/s2) in the most unfavorable direction, thus preventing an undesirable effect.
• an active magnet system having a coil and armature is used.
• the movements required are in this case made by energizing the coil at the coreect moment in order to move the first lever 51 out of its at-rest position.
• a switching installation as described above comprises for each phase a disconnector enabling parts of the switching installation to be disconnected from one another and/or grounded.
• the operating mechamsm 70 of the disconnectors 73 may form part of or be integrated with the drive mechanism 1 as described above. However, the operating mechanism 70 may also be considered as an independent stand-alone unit.
• Fig. 4a shows a diagrammatic side view of a section of a switching installation.
• the switching installation comprises at least one switching element, such as vacuum circuit breaker 35, a disconnector 73 connected to the circuit breaker 35 on one side, a rail contact 71 and a grounding contact 72.
• the disconnector 73 can electrically connect the moving contact of the vacuum circuit breaker 35 to the rail contact 71 (first position), can make no connection (second position) or can connect it to the grounding contact 72 (third position).
• these components are present in triplicate for each functional unit. This is shown in the diagrammatic frontal view presented in Fig. 4b.
• the drive rod 18 of the vacuum circuit breaker 35 is operated by the drive mechanism 1, top left in Fig. 4a.
• the disconnector 73 is electrically connected to the moveable contact of the circuit breaker 35 by means of a sliding contact, so that the moveable contact of the switch can move without one side of the disconnector 73 moving.
• the disconnector 73 is secured by means of a pivot 74, and at a position located further towards the other end is connected to an insulating disconnector drive rod 76 via a pivot 75.
• this disconnector drive rod 76 being moved substantially vertically, the disconnector 76 is moved between the rail contact 71 and grounding contact 72 by rotating about the pivot 74.
• the disconnector 73 may be designed as any known embodiment which is in practical use. It is preferable for the disconnector to be made from two identical halves which run parallel to one another and at one end surround the sliding contact and at the other end surround the rail or grounding contact, with the pivot 74 being integrated with the sliding contact. This allows a compact, simple and inexpensive structure.
• each of the disconnector drive rods 76 is connected to a disconnector bar 82 by means of a pivoting connection 86.
• the action of the operating mechanism 70 becomes clearer by referring to Fig. 5a, which shows an enlarged view of section Va in Fig. 4a.
• a disconnector drive shaft 77 is rotated for the purpose of operating the disconnector 73.
• a strip 78 which extends radially from the disconnector drive shaft 77, is secured at right angles to the end of the disconnector drive shaft 77.
• a pivot pin 79, on which a toggle strip 80 is pivoted, is secured to the other end of the strip 78.
• the toggle strip 80 can move in a plane which is substantially perpendicular to the disconnector drive shaft 77.
• the other end of the toggle strip 80 is in turn secured to the disconnector bar 82 by means of a pivot pin 81.
• the disconnector bar 82 is designed, for example with the aid of two guide pins, to execute a substantially linear movement, for example in the vertical direction in the drawing, and this movement is transmitted to the insulating disconnector drive rods 76.
• Fig. 5b likewise shows a section of the disconnector mechanism, showing more detail of section Vb in Fig. 4b.
• the pivot pin 79 is constantly pulled to the right by a tension spring 84 (cf. also Fig. 4b), resulting in two at-rest positions.
• the disconnector drive shaft 77 is rotated to the left as seen in the drawing, the further pivot pin 81 (and therefore the disconnector bar 82) will ultimately be located in its lowermost position, with the pivot pin 79 pulled towards a stop 83 by the tension spring 84. It can then be seen from Fig. 4a that the disconnector is then in the rail position.
• the disconnector drive shaft 77 is rotated to the right, the disconnector bar 82 will ultimately be located in the top position, in which the disconnector 73 is connected to the grounding contact 72 (grounding position) and in which the pivot pin 79 is in turn pulled towards the stop 83. hi an intermediate position, the end of the disconnector 73 is not in contact with the rail contact 71 or the grounding contact 72 (breaking position).
• Fig. 6 shows a plan view of the combined drive mechanism according to one embodiment of the present invention. Some components have been omitted for the sake of clarity.
• a front module 95 which connects the operating side of the switching installation to the drive mechanism 1, is positioned at the front side of the switching installation (the underside in Fig. 6).
• the operating side comprises an off button 91, which operates the trip mechanism 90 via a switching-off shaft 96 in order to switch off the switching elements of the switching installation.
• the front side comprises a first opening 92, in which a key can be fitted for the purpose of operating the drive mechanism 1 and the trip/locking mechanism 90 via shaft 31.
• There is a second opening 93 in order to enable the disconnector mechanism 70 to be operated using a key via disconnector drive shaft 77.
• a selector 94 which opens the first opening 92 in a first position, closes off both openings 92, 93 in a second position and opens the second opening 93 in a third position, is located between the first and second openings 92, 93.
• the drive mechanism can be operated by hand. However, it is also possible to use suitable actuators and/or motors to operate the drive mechanism remotely by electrical means and optionally automatically.
• the installation is switched off 101 (switching elements 35 switched off; disconnector 76 in rail position; selector 94 in second position; the installation is released for operation 102 (switching elements 35 switched off; disconnector 76 in grounding position; selector 94 in second position;
• This first of all involves moving into the "cable grounded” state 120, by placing the selector 94 in position one, checking that the cable is free of voltage, fitting the key into the first opening 92 and using it to rotate the shaft 31 to the right (block 124). As a result, the switch 35 is closed and the cable is grounded via the switch 35 and disconnector 73.

Landscapes

• Driving Mechanisms And Operating Circuits Of Arc-Extinguishing High-Tension Switches (AREA)
• Mechanical Operated Clutches (AREA)
• Lock And Its Accessories (AREA)
• Control Of Multiple Motors (AREA)
• Control Of Motors That Do Not Use Commutators (AREA)
• Control Of Electric Motors In General (AREA)

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Citations (9)

• 2002
  • 2002-08-15 NL NL1021286A patent/NL1021286C2/nl not_active IP Right Cessation
• 2003
  • 2003-08-15 AT AT03788182T patent/ATE355603T1/de active
  • 2003-08-15 DE DE60312169T patent/DE60312169T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-08-15 EP EP03788182A patent/EP1529299B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-08-15 NZ NZ538588A patent/NZ538588A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2003-08-15 DK DK03788182T patent/DK1529299T3/da active
  • 2003-08-15 ES ES03788182T patent/ES2281684T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 2003-08-15 AU AU2003261668A patent/AU2003261668B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 2003-08-15 PT PT03788182T patent/PT1529299E/pt unknown
  • 2003-08-15 WO PCT/NL2003/000587 patent/WO2004017348A2/en active IP Right Grant

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